Description
Delightfully easy to make, these Apple Crisp Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a tender, cinnamon-spiced apple filling and a crispy crumb topping. Perfect for a cozy dessert or snack, this recipe yields 16 delicious bars baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups (147 g) all-purpose flour
Apple Filling
- 4 cups (500 g) apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 4-5 medium apples)
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Crisp Topping
- ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang on the sides for easy removal, and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Make the shortbread crust: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the flour and mix just until a crumbly dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until it is slightly puffed and just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and keep the oven temperature unchanged for the next steps.
- Prepare the apple filling: While the crust bakes, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with the 2 tablespoons of flour and ¼ cup granulated sugar until the apples are fully coated.
- Assemble the filling: Arrange the coated apples evenly over the baked shortbread crust.
- Make the crisp topping: In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the chilled butter into the mixture until it becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add topping and bake: Evenly spread the crisp topping over the apple layer. Bake uncovered at 350º F for 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple mixture is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out, then cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance.
- Make sure the butter for the crisp topping is cold to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Let the bars cool completely so they set well and hold their shape when cut.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Optionally, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 57 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
